St Albans: Plans to hold markets 'throughout the week'

Currently, charter markets take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the city centre, but an increased demand has seen proposals put forward for additional markets on the remaining five days of the week.

At this time, the council allows up to six street traders to operate outside of charter market days by means of street trading consents.

However, the proposed new markets would see up to 10 traders sell their wares each day.

Charter market traders would not be charged any higher fee than on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but street traders - who currently hold a street trading consent - would pay fees in line with the proposed smaller market charges.

The plans have now been put back until June, to allow for conversations with the people set to be most affected.

The Green Party's councillor Simon Grover. (Image: Matt Fisher)

The Green Party's Cllr Simon Grover has criticised the proposed increase in fees for street traders.

He said: "Greens on St Albans Council have pushed back against radical plans by the administration to massively increase fees for street traders on the market - increases that would have put traders out of business" said the councillor.

"Hopefully now we have the opportunity to think through this issue more carefully and come up with something that works as well as it can for all stakeholders, and doesn’t put local companies out of business."

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Cllr Chris White, the leader of St Albans City & District Council, said: "We have listened to people who will be impacted by these proposals and have acted by deciding to look at this initiative in granular detail.

“We want to make sure that our plans will get the support as far as possible of everyone involved, particularly our wonderful traders who contribute so much to the local economy as well as the vibrancy of the city centre.

Cllr Chris White, the leader of St Albans City & District Council. (Image: Chris White)

“I will be talking personally to the street traders, explaining our amended plans, taking on board feedback and deciding on the best way forward with senior council officers.”